Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

A bit heavy-handed at the Oscars?

Mar 5, 2006 1:22PM PST

So, tonight at the Oscars, I really got the impression that I should see movies at the theatre, and not just on DVD. There was even an entire montage about how great movies on the big screen are.

My roommates say I'm reading too much into this and being cynical, but I think the movie industry is really against the simultaneous launching of movies/dvds/on-demand that the podcast has talked about.

What does everyone else think?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Even though I didn't watch the Oscars ...
Mar 5, 2006 2:07PM PST

... based on what you wrote, I'd have to agree with them. No matter how tricked-out a home theater setup is, in my opinion, it just doesn't compare to watching it on the "big screen."

I feel more immersed at the theater than I do in a home theater.

But hey, that's just me.

-Terry

- Collapse -
DVD on 50+ inch LCD in a dark room
Mar 11, 2006 4:43AM PST

This type of setup is about 95% of the theatre experience.

I tend to agree, but think the gap is much closer. An old 19 inch tube (which I have) is only about 25% there.

- Collapse -
Even Jon talked about it.
Mar 5, 2006 3:04PM PST

Very first thing in his monologue, Jon Stewart mentioned how Hollywood revenues were down due in part to illegal downloading. Actually he said something like that, but it was more concise and funny. Hmm.. I guess that's why he was hosting the Oscars and I was painting my bathroom.

They are definitely going to push DRM hard. Speaking of DRM, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith piped up about it recently, saying that due to illegal downloading of their music, all the musician has left to generate revenue is concert ticket sales. Somehow I think he's exaggerating a bit (or maybe even a kilobit.. Happy ) .

- Morley

- Collapse -
Yeah
Mar 5, 2006 5:40PM PST

I stayed up all night tp watch it. Its a shame that file was no good to watch on a portable dvd player - i'll just have to see it on the big screen....

....um, Nah!

At best I'll get the projecter out maybe!

Quite a shame - not all that worth staying up for!

- Collapse -
Justification
Mar 7, 2006 10:51AM PST

Alright. Now that I listened to yesterday's podcast, I know I'm not the only one that noticed! I'll subject my roommates to Molly's rant about the MPAA.

- Collapse -
You're not the only one...
Mar 8, 2006 4:09AM PST

I don't remember the exact quote, but when the president of the MPAA come and mentioned that no one looks at a take and say 'this would look good on a DVD', somehow he missed the fact that on most sets there is a crew filming the take for the behind the scenes extras for the DVD. And then there's Director's Cut, audio commentary, technical notes, etc. So it kinda odd for him to take swipes at the DVD viewing experience when Hollywood have been embracing it for years.

I know the point he was trying to make and nothing can compare to the big screen experience, but for less than the price of two tickets and snacks at a cinema I can buy the DVD four months later with popcorn and watch it comfortably at home with friends. Now which is the better experience?

- Collapse -
Hollywood sees the future...
Mar 9, 2006 5:07PM PST

...and sticks their collective heads in the sand. I like the theater/really big screen experience as much as anyone, but until they install a theater in the train I take to work or my kitchen while I'm woking on dinner, my opportunities are limited. But...if they can figure out a way to distribute content for viewing where/when I want, I'll often accept the trade off of losing the big screen to gain any screen at all.

- Collapse -
Exactly.
Mar 9, 2006 11:14PM PST

I'm not gonna stop seeing movies. This year I saw King Kong, Howl's Moving Castle and Brokeback Mountain in the theatre because I wanted the theatre experience.

But I just ordered Crash on DVD, so I'll never see it in the theatre. But shouldn't they just shut up and enjoy my money from DVD sales instead of telling me to see it on the big screen?

They're making 20 bucks off the DVD and only 7 bucks off the movie. What gives??

- Collapse -
You pay what???
Mar 10, 2006 3:58AM PST

you pay 7 bucks for a movie? I wish...

I live in the NY Metro area so it's anywhere from $9 to $11 to sit in the megaplexes. But our DVDs are cheaper. Most new releases are around $15.

Anyhow, last year might have been the worse year for watching movies at the theatre (for me, that is). I saw Harry Potter and Batman Begins. That's it.

- Collapse -
The dinosaurs are getting nervous
Mar 9, 2006 8:50PM PST

It amazes me that after the VCR saved Hollywood - despite Hollywood's best efforts to kill it, the suits still don't seem to get it.
It sure does give Jon Stewart & his contemporaries limitless material.
Some experiences are only available in theaters, but how many times can someone watch Rocky Horror?
Maybe someone can make a dvd that recreates the theater experience, with cellphones ringing in the middle of movies, people arguing, the occasional scuffle etc Wink
Meanwhile I'd rather spend my $40 for 2 dvds than 2 tix, snacks & parking to go to the jiggaplex
If Hollywood is really against "unauthorised use" why was there no broadcast flag on the oscarthon?